Page 58 - SACCO STAR ISSUE 43

SACCO INDUSTRY WATCH

KUSCCO LAUNCHES SMART WATER
FOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM

By Kitonga Muli

labor and inputs, mitigate weather
related risks, and stimulate attractive off-
season production opportunities.

KUSCCO will offer SWA credit facility
available to selected and eligible
SACCOs to on lend to eligible beneficiary
SACCO members (farmers) for purchase
of irrigation inputs from approved and
prequalified Solar Water Pump suppliers/
distributors.

Her Excellency, Deputy Ambassador Martine van Hoogstraten flanked by KUSCCO Irrigation equipment primarily include
chairman, George Magutu, KUSCCO MD, George Ototo and Commissioner of Co- bundled Water Pump and Solar panel
operatives, Madam Mary Mungai present a dummy cheque of Kshs. 1 M to QWETU but may also include cables, pipes, (PE
SSACCO chairman Alfred Mlolwa and PVC), Valves, Sprinklers, Filtration
mall and medium farmers SWA is implemented by SNV in systems, Drip lines, Water tanks, drill
in Kenya can now smile consortium with MetaMeta, Practica of boreholes/wells. Site survey will be
following the launch of an Foundation, Aqua for All and The Royal conducted at individual beneficiary to
improved food security Tropical Institute (KIT) in association with ascertain and quantify requirements
and confirm all conditions have been
program funded by the the Wageningen University. satisfied adequately.

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Deputy Ambassador Her
Excellency, Martine van Hoogstraten
Netherlands. To support the above goals, SWA’s
For more information, please
innovation and investment fund contact kitonga@kuscco.com or call

The Smart Water for Agriculture (SWA) accepted KUSCCO (Kenya Union of 0722799390.

program aims at improving food Savings and Credit Co-operatives Ltd)

security through optimized irrigation application to increase access to finance

water use. SWA supports efforts through an activity titled, “Financial

to increase access to smart water service access and inclusion for Savings

solutions, access to finance, multi- and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) to

stakeholder interactions through the develop financial products for smart

establishment sustainable irrigation water solutions”. Through this activity,

acceleration platforms and inclusive KUSCCO will make available affordable

business linkages. financial solutions and provide support

mechanisms to selected SACCOs for

The project was officially launched in purposes of on-lending to eligible

May during KUSCCO’s Annual Delegates and approved individual farmers to

Meeting held at Laico Regency Hotel specifically purchase of solar water

in Nairobi. It was graced by the pumps from selected Solar Water pump

Netherlands deputy Ambassador suppliers.

who is also the Head of Trade and

Development, Her Excellency, Martine The program promotes farmer-led,

van Hoogstraten. market-based innovative water solutions

integrated with holistic value chain

During the launch, Qwetu SACCO was options – both products and services

awarded the first loan of Ksh 1 million which save water and energy for

to lend to their members. sustainable resource use but also reduce

56| SACCO Star Magazine